1969 – 3 Steps for While-U-Wait Printing

As we continue to share the direct mail gems (or blasts from the past); we review how printing has changed in the last 44 years.

Above is a view of a self-mailer sent in August of 1969. The marketing mailer promotes “Fast and Economical print” or reproductions; and explains how the process worked in 3, easy steps:

YOU PROVIDE US WITH A PHOTO READY ORIGINAL COPY: May be typed, previously printed, drawn, paste-up – Black or Red on white paper reproduces best. Originals on dark paper or with Grey, Blue or Green ink may not print well.

WE PLACE YOUR ORIGINAL IN AN AUTOMATED CAMERA AND ALMOST INSTANTLY MAKE A PHOTO OFFSET PLATE (MASTER).

AND FROM THIS PLATE, WE PRINT 10 – 10,000 COPIES, AS YOU WISH.

It is amazing when you consider how much has changed within the printing arena over the last 40-years. Today’s digital presses don’t even use plates and the quality of their output rivals offset printing. Each printed piece can be personalized, press runs have minimal waste and small quantities are now affordable.

1969 was ripe with change. When this mail piece was delivered, The Woodstock Music and Art Festival was unfolding. The Haunted Mansion attraction opened at Disneyland California, Honky Ton Women by the Rolling Stones was number 1 on the Billboard music charts and movies such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Midnight Cowboy and Easy Rider topped box office sales.